SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. — The Westlake Aquatic Center is looking for a little help from the community as it pays for facility upgrades and emergency maintenance that took place during the off-season.
The Westlake Aquatic Center’s “100 Helping Hands” campaign will kick-off at the center’s annual meeting, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7 at the Cannon Smoked Saloon in Sunrise Beach. An update on the pool activities will be presented as well. Lunch is $10 and reservations are requested.
100 people giving $100
The “100 Helping Hands” campaign is asking 100 people to give $100 to pay off debt incurred in 2014 from borrowing funds for the installation of a new shower room and an emergency boiler purchase.
The aquatic center had a catastrophic boiler fire in November 2013 that closed the facility. To make repairs as soon as possible, and upgrade shower facilities during the closure, the WAC board of Directors secured emergency funding through a loan from the Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks. This expense was not foreseen or included in their annual operating budget.
The $100 donation can be made by one individual, two people joining together giving $50 each, or a members of an organization banding together to keep this Westside asset affordable.
The aquatic center re-opened in February, and since then, Westsiders have been enjoying the 87 degree water for swimming, exercise, and recreation. Many senior citizens report their time in the pool has kept them mobile; others say the pool is the only exercise they can endure after surgery and/or during therapy. The pool is also a hub for friends to gather, visit, and exercise.
The mission of the aquatic center is to improve the health and quality of life of residents and visitors of all ages by providing physical fitness, rehabilitation, education and social opportunities in a safe and environmentally-friendly facility that is accessible to all.
The “100 Helping Hands” campaign has already raised $2,315 towards this $10,000 debt cancellation project. Donations are tax deductible; for more information, visit westlakeaqauticcenter.com or call 573-374-7370. Checks may be sent to PO Box 1532 Laurie, Mo. 65038.
